A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell

Abstract

This invention discloses a semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell, belonging to the field of electrolytic cell technology. It includes a shell with interconnected semi-circular and square cavities inside. The square cavities gradually narrow from the connection points of the semi-circular cavities, and the ends of the square cavities furthest from the semi-circular cavities are connected by arc-shaped corners. The cathode is located inside the square cavity of the electrolytic cell, and the anode is installed at the top of the electrolytic cell and extends into the cathode cavity. This invention relies on the magnetic-thermal field generated by the graphite anode group within the square cavity to drive the molten salt electrolyte to generate a flow field. The varying spacing of the square cavities within the inner shell drives the lithium metal liquid to flow into the semi-circular cavity, while the arc-shaped corners prevent any residual lithium metal liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of electrolytic cell technology, and more specifically, relates to a semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing development of the national economy and the strong support of the country for new energy policies, lithium metal and lithium series products are playing an increasingly important role in the development and use of new energy. Currently, lithium chloride molten salt electrolysis is the only industrial method that can produce lithium metal.

[0003] Currently, the production of lithium metal via molten salt electrolysis is moving towards automation. For example, patent CN112011803A involves setting up a lithium collecting tank within the electrolytic cell. Liquid lithium metal is drawn into the collecting tank through the magnetic-thermal-fluid field generated by the anode and cathode within the cell. However, most current electrolytic cells are square, with the anode and cathode located in the center. This results in relatively uniform magnetic-thermal-fluid field strengths across the cell, and the presence of angles on all sides causes slow movement of the liquid lithium metal, leading to some accumulation in the corners. This necessitates manual removal and retrieval of lithium, posing safety risks, high labor intensity, low production efficiency, and the introduction of impurities that affect quality. Therefore, we propose a lithium metal electrolytic cell. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies. Its objective is to provide a lithium metal electrolytic cell that rapidly concentrates metallic lithium in one location, leaving no residue around it, eliminating the need for manual operation, reducing labor intensity, and improving production efficiency and product quality. The invention employs the following technical solution: A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell, comprising: The shell has an internally connected semi-circular cavity and a square cavity. The square cavity gradually narrows from the connection point of the semi-circular cavity. The end of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity is connected by an arc-shaped corner. The cathode is located inside the square cavity of the electrolytic cell, and the anode is installed at the top of the electrolytic cell and extends into the cavity of the cathode.

[0005] Further, the housing includes: shell; The inner shell is disposed inside the outer shell, and there is a certain gap between the outer shell and the inner shell to form a heat-insulating cavity. The heat-insulating cavity is filled with heat-insulating material, and the semi-circular cavity and the square cavity are disposed inside the inner shell.

[0006] Furthermore, a feeding port is provided at the top of the electrolytic cell, and the feeding port is connected to an automatic feeding device.

[0007] Furthermore, the bottom of the square cavity is provided with an I-beam base frame, and the cathode is placed on the I-beam base frame.

[0008] Furthermore, the top of the electrolytic cell is equipped with a double-layer cover, including an outer cover and an inner cover, and both the outer cover and the inner cover have a round hole at the same position for connecting an external automatic lithium retrieval device.

[0009] Furthermore, four viewing mirrors are installed on the top of the electrolytic cell. The four viewing mirrors are located at the two corners of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity, at the feed port, and at the double-layer tank cover.

[0010] Furthermore, a king-shaped support frame is installed below the top of the electrolytic cell, and the support frame is 3-5 cm away from the surface of the molten salt electrolyte.

[0011] Furthermore, the cathode is composed of multiple all-steel plate cylindrical cavities arranged in an array and connected to an external aluminum busbar, and the anode is multiple cylindrical graphite corresponding to the all-steel plate cylindrical cavities.

[0012] Furthermore, a plurality of load-bearing components are installed on the top of the electrolytic cell, and a positioning clamp that cooperates with the load-bearing components is installed on the upper part of each anode.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrolytic cell is equipped with a guide pipe, the first end of which is located outside the electrolytic cell, and the second end extends into the semi-circular cavity, for discharging liquid lithium metal from the electrolytic cell via the guide pipe using an automatic lithium retrieval device.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention relies on the magnetic-thermal field generated by the graphite anode group in the square cavity to drive the molten salt electrolyte to generate a flow field. By utilizing the different spacing of the square cavities in the inner shell, the liquid lithium metal is driven to flow into the semi-circular cavity, and because of the arc corner, no liquid lithium metal remains.

[0015] This invention reduces installation time and improves equipment sealing by adding positioning clips and load-bearing components to the graphite anode, thereby reducing chlorine leakage. It also eliminates the need for manual retrieval of lithium metal from the corners of the electrolytic cell, preventing the introduction of air and other impurities, thus reducing labor intensity and improving production efficiency and product quality. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial top view schematic diagram of a semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 2. Inner shell; 3. Anode; 4. Cathode; 5. Guide tube; 6. Outer cover; 7. Inner cover; 8. Support frame; 9. Base frame; 10. Aluminum busbar; 11. Load-bearing component; 12. Positioning clamp; 13. Feed port; 14. Viewing mirror. Detailed Implementation

[0018] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0019] This section will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0022] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0023] Example 1

[0024] refer to Figures 1 to 2 A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell, comprising: The shell has interconnected semi-circular cavities and square cavities inside. The square cavities gradually narrow from the connection point of the semi-circular cavities. The end of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity is connected by an arc-shaped corner. The cathode 4 is located inside the square cavity of the electrolytic cell. The anode 3 is installed at the top of the electrolytic cell and extends into the cavity of the cathode 4.

[0025] This invention relies on the magnetic-thermal field generated by the graphite anode group in the square cavity to drive the molten salt electrolyte to generate a flow field. By utilizing the different spacing of the square cavities in the inner shell, the liquid lithium metal is driven to flow into the semi-circular cavity, and because of the arc corner, no liquid lithium metal remains.

[0026] In this embodiment, the housing includes: Casing 1, preferably, is made of all-steel plate; Inner shell 2 is located inside outer shell 1. There is a certain gap between outer shell 1 and inner shell 2 to form a heat insulation cavity. The heat insulation cavity is filled with heat insulation material. Semi-circular cavity and square cavity are located inside inner shell 2.

[0027] Preferably, the inner shell 2 is made of all steel plate.

[0028] In this embodiment, a feeding port 13 is provided at the top of the electrolytic cell, and the feeding port 13 is connected to an automatic feeding device.

[0029] In this embodiment, an I-beam base frame 9 is provided at the bottom of the square cavity, and the cathode 4 is placed on the I-beam base frame 9.

[0030] In this embodiment, a double-layer cover is installed on the top of the electrolytic cell, including an outer cover 6 and an inner cover 7. Both the outer cover 6 and the inner cover 7 have a round hole at the same position for connecting an external automatic lithium retrieval device.

[0031] In this embodiment, four viewing mirrors 14 are installed on the top of the electrolytic cell. The four viewing mirrors 14 are located at the two corners of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity, at the feeding port, and at the double-layer tank cover, respectively, which can accurately understand the production process and adjust the production parameters.

[0032] In this embodiment, a king-shaped support frame 8 is installed below the top of the electrolytic cell, and the support frame 8 is 3-5 cm away from the surface of the molten salt electrolyte.

[0033] Preferably, a king-shaped all-steel plate frame is welded below the top inner shell to support the graphite anode.

[0034] In this embodiment, the cathode 4 is composed of multiple all-steel plate cylindrical cavities arranged in an array and connected to an external aluminum busbar 10, and the anode 3 is multiple cylindrical graphite corresponding to the all-steel plate cylindrical cavities.

[0035] In practice, the cathode 4 is composed of multiple cylindrical cavities made of steel plates, located in the square cavity of the electrolytic cell, placed on the I-beam base frame at the bottom of the cell, and connected to an external aluminum busbar to provide power.

[0036] In this embodiment, a plurality of load-bearing components 11 are installed on the top of the electrolytic cell to improve the sealing performance of the electrolytic cell. Each anode 3 is equipped with a positioning clip 12 that cooperates with the load-bearing component 11.

[0037] In practice, a positioning clip is installed on the upper part of each graphite anode, which can be quickly aligned with the load-bearing component located on the top of the electrolytic cell, facilitating the rapid installation of the graphite anode.

[0038] This invention reduces installation time and improves equipment sealing by adding positioning clips and load-bearing components to the graphite anode, thereby reducing chlorine leakage. It also eliminates the need for manual retrieval of lithium metal from the corners of the electrolytic cell, preventing the introduction of air and other impurities, thus reducing labor intensity and improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0039] In this embodiment, an electrolytic cell is equipped with a guide pipe 5. The first end of the guide pipe 5 is located outside the electrolytic cell, and the second end extends into the semi-circular cavity. It is used to allow the liquid lithium metal to exit the electrolytic cell through the guide pipe 5 from the automatic lithium retrieval equipment.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell, characterized in that, include: The shell has an internally connected semi-circular cavity and a square cavity. The square cavity gradually narrows from the connection point of the semi-circular cavity. The end of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity is connected by an arc-shaped corner. The cathode is located inside the square cavity of the electrolytic cell, and the anode is installed at the top of the electrolytic cell and extends into the cavity of the cathode.

2. The semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes: shell; The inner shell is disposed inside the outer shell, and there is a certain gap between the outer shell and the inner shell to form a heat-insulating cavity. The heat-insulating cavity is filled with heat-insulating material, and the semi-circular cavity and the square cavity are disposed inside the inner shell.

3. The semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the electrolytic cell is provided with a feeding port, which is connected to an automatic feeding device.

4. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the square cavity is provided with an I-beam base frame, and the cathode is placed on the I-beam base frame.

5. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the electrolytic cell is equipped with a double-layer cover, including an outer cover and an inner cover, and both the outer cover and the inner cover have a round hole at the same position for connecting an external automatic lithium retrieval device.

6. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the electrolytic cell is equipped with four viewing mirrors, which are located at the two corners of the square cavity away from the semi-circular cavity, at the feed port, and at the double-layer tank cover.

7. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, A king-shaped support frame is installed below the top of the electrolytic cell, and the support frame is 3-5 cm away from the surface of the molten salt electrolyte.

8. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode is composed of multiple all-steel plate cylindrical cavities arranged in an array and connected to an external aluminum busbar. The anode is multiple cylindrical graphite corresponding to the all-steel plate cylindrical cavities.

9. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 8, characterized in that, The top of the electrolytic cell is equipped with multiple load-bearing components, and each anode is equipped with a positioning clamp that cooperates with the load-bearing components.

10. A semi-circular lithium metal electrolytic cell according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electrolytic cell is equipped with a guide pipe. The first end of the guide pipe is located outside the electrolytic cell, and the second end extends into the semi-circular cavity. It is used to allow liquid lithium metal to exit the electrolytic cell through the guide pipe from the automatic lithium retrieval equipment.

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